Weapon-Light

04 Mar 08

Surefire X300 Weapon-light

Until now, I have not been a particular fan of flashlights that physically attach to pistols, as they were bulky, took too long to attach and detach, and required special holsters.

Last fall, a good friend from SIG showed me a Surefire X300 that he carries, separate from his pistol. Andy Stanford reiterated that lesson at the Polite Society Event in Memphis in February, and I now have a copy that I'm using on my carry guns. The X300 quickly goes on, and comes off, of any pistol with a rail. I've used my copy with my SIG 229, S&W M&P, Beretta PX4, and SA/XD. Runs just fine on all of them, and I can quickly get rid of it when I don' t want it.

I find that I can carry the X300 in a vest pocket, then attach it to my pistol at night when the pistol lays on the floor, next to my bed. In the morning, I then take it off prior to holstering. With the light attached to the pistol, I can easily operate/coordinate both, using only one hand, and the light beam is always in precise alignment with the barrel of the pistol.

There is still the issue of inadvertently pointing the light and pistol in unsafe directions, simply because they are attached, but the X300 is a slick, rugged system that provides significant advantages, and I've found a way to fit it into my life, per the foregoing.

Recommended!

/John

Sabretech

04 Mar 08

Sabretech

Last weekend, I had the opportunity to give my copy of Sabretech's XR15 (M4) a thorough workout. I have it equipped with a forward-mounted Aimpoint Micro on a LaRue quick-detach mount. Sling is a two-point, Blue Force Gear/Vickers.

We shot a number of brands of ammunition through it, in different brands of magazines. Every one of my students had the opportunity to handle and use it.

As expected, it ran without a hiccup, but the one comment I got more than any other was about its lightness! It is light, short, and handy. Everyone noticed!

Excellent car-gun!

/John

Incident in TX!

04 Mar 08

Good advice from a friend who is chief of security at a famous gentlemen's club in TX:

"Sunday evening I was summoned to our 'VIP lounge.' Our floor-manager had gently informed a patron that he was in an area that required a special invitation, and, since the patron didn't have one, that he would have to leave and return to some other part of the Club. The patron would have none of it!

Upon arrival, I observed a heated argument between the patron in question and the floor manager. Our manager was clearly losing control, as the patron was waving his arms and posturing menacingly as well as verbalizing violent threats. I knew I had to act quickly, before the affair became physical.

Moving forward briskly, I got between the patron and our beleaguered floor manager. I immediately seized the agenda by making unsmiling eye contact and saying, 'What seems to be the problem here?' The patron spouted the usual ' Do you have any idea how much money I spend in this joint...?' Myresponse was the standard, 'Time to leave, sir. Perhaps we can discuss allthis some other time, eh?' As I spoke, a contingent of my security staff arrived and immediately deployed. However, we took great care to maintain an open exit for the patron, so that he did not get the impression that he was cornered. Our floor manager took the hint and stepped out of sight, so that the patron had no one to deal with except me

Seeing that his position was untenable, the patron's countenance fell. He continued whining, but with diminishing energy. My requiem response was,'I understand completely, sir, but look around. Can't you see that no one wants you here? It's clearly time for you to leave, sir.' We escorted him out without further incident.

The 'affair' quickly ended, and the rest of the patrons, aswell as the staff, went back to their respective activities as if nothing had happened!

In my business, taking immediate control of an incident, in a firm and confident manner, is all important if one intends to consistently de-escalate potentially violent confrontations. It is difficult to overemphasize the importance of clear and judicious verbal commands, combined with strong, confident, ' I can handle whatever you throw my way' posturing and bearing! Anything less will result in disaster. Ask me how I know this!

I deal with drunken idiots on a nightly basis. Most are harmless, but some are pernicious. Actually, all are pernicious under the right circumstances."

Comment: There is an important lesson here, even for those of us who don't work as bouncers! Being "invisible" is something we advisemost of the time one is in public places. However, in order to insure consistent "de-selection " for victimization, we also need to know how to quietly project strength and icy resolve. We need to be "dangerous," and it needs to show!

"Weakness perceived is weakness exploited"

It applies to individuals as well as nations!

/John